terrain
tuh-RAYN
Terrain (noun) means the physical features of a stretch of land, especially how rugged or flat it is. Example: “The cyclists chose strong bikes that suit hilly terrain.”
noun
1
The physical features of a stretch of land, especially how rugged or flat it is.
"The cyclists chose strong bikes that suit hilly terrain."
"The truck struggled to cross the rocky terrain."
"Hikers should check the terrain before setting out."
How to use terrain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe physical surface and features of a piece of land.
Common pairings
rough terrain
mountainous terrain
cover difficult terrain
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Word forms
- Plural
- terrains
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The cyclists chose strong bikes that suit hilly _____.
Etymology
Borrowed from French terrain, from Latin terrenum, "land, ground."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for terrain
See all rhymes for terrain →Frequently asked questions
What does “terrain” mean?
The word “terrain” means the physical features of a stretch of land, especially how rugged or flat it is. In plain terms, the physical surface and features of a piece of land.
How do you pronounce “terrain”?
“Terrain” is pronounced tuh-RAYN (/təˈɹeɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “terrain” in a sentence?
Here is “terrain” used in a sentence: “The truck struggled to cross the rocky terrain.”
What part of speech is “terrain”?
“Terrain” is a noun.
Where does the word “terrain” come from?
The word “terrain” comes from Latin. Borrowed from French terrain, from Latin terrenum, "land, ground.".
Is “terrain” a common word?
“Terrain” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
What is the difference between terrain and land?
Land is a general word for an area of ground. Terrain refers specifically to the physical features and character of that ground, such as how rugged, steep, rocky, or flat it is, especially when thinking about crossing it.
What is the difference between terrain and landscape?
Landscape usually refers to the visible scenery and overall appearance of an area, including its natural beauty. Terrain focuses on the physical form of the ground itself and how easy or difficult it is to travel across.
What is the difference between terrain and topography?
Topography is the detailed study or mapping of the surface features and elevations of an area. Terrain is the actual ground and its physical character, so topography describes and measures the terrain.
What adjectives are commonly used to describe terrain?
Terrain is often described with words like rugged, rough, rocky, mountainous, hilly, uneven, flat, or difficult. These adjectives highlight how the land's physical features affect movement across it.
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